What are Clemson football's strongest position groups? Hint: They huddle together between plays

CLEMSON – Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney's forte has been recruitment and development on the field, which has led to players becoming college standouts and NFL draft selections.

Despite managing their fewest wins since 2010, the Tigers (9-4) in 2023 had eight players earn all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors, including four who were selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Swinney and his staff have built elite starters and quality depth to ensure Clemson's position groups can thrive despite roster turnover.

Here are Clemson's top position groups ahead of preseason practices:

Defensive line

It's a sign Clemson's defensive line will be formidable when Peter Woods and Caden Story can move from defensive tackle to end. The moves will allow the team's defensive-tackle depth to shine while creating speed and size mismatches on the edge.

The Tigers are replacing four starters on the defensive line, but it is in capable hands. The unit is led by defensive end T.J. Parker and Woods, who both earned multiple freshman All-America honors last season. They will play on the line with a combination of DeMonte Capehart, Payton Page and Tré Williams, all seniors who will hold down the interior.

Clemson also has quality rotational pieces that can contribute, like tackle Stephiylan Green and ends Story, Jaheim Lawson and Cade Denhoff.

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Linebackers

Barrett Carter could have departed for the NFL draft like former teammate Jeremiah Trotter Jr., but Carter returned for his senior season and will lead Clemson's linebacker unit. The group is one of the team's strongest with Carter and Wade Woodaz, who stepped up and impressed coaches during the spring.

Redshirt sophomore Kobe McCloud will join them when Clemson switches to its 4-3 personnel. Behind them on the depth chart are Jamal Anderson and Dee Crayton, who both look to continue their development. The Tigers also added three linebackers in the 2024 recruiting cycle, including five-star Sammy Brown, Drew Woodaz and C.J. Kubah-Taylor.

Defensive backs

Clemson lost three of its starting defensive backs, but safety R.J. Mickens returns for his fifth season. He will be joined as safety by graduate senior safety Tyler Venables, who missed all but two games in 2023 because of injury, and sophomore Khalil Barnes, who earned multiple freshman All-America honors after leading the team in interceptions with three.

Sophomore cornerbacks Shelton Lewis and Avieon Terrell emerged last season and held their own during the final games of the season. Clemson also will have Jeadyn Lukus, who is the most experienced of the group but missed the spring because of hip surgery. Freshman Tavoy Feagin also showed flashes during the spring with the starting reps he gained due to player injuries.

Swinney's defense is expected to be dominant again after ranking eighth in FBS in total defense last season.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00